As young and older students return to classrooms this week, the New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) is advising parents, guardians and others to guard their children’s and their own personal information.
With online social networks inviting young people to place information on the Internet; the perceived need to furnish information to groups, teams and clubs; and a marked increase in the incidence of data breaches, the CPB is calling on consumers to learn more about what they can do to help stem the tide against identity theft and prevent victimization.
Even with identity theft in the news and on people’s minds, many of us freely give out personal information when asked for it. At this time of year, as we return to our fall activities, we are urging consumers to be cautious about providing personal identifying information to others. People should examine any such requests carefully before handing over the ‘keys’ to their identity.
The “back-to-school” season is prime time for collecting personal information. Social Security numbers are the key to financial and other personal information, which most people would prefer to keep confidential, yet these numbers are widely used to identify us.
Many sports teams, organizations, groups and other entities routinely ask for personal information that they may not actually need. Consumers should ask questions about why the information is required, how it will be used and how it will be safeguarded. Social Security numbers should not be necessary to participate in school-related activities. Consumers should be sure to give vital information only to those who are authorized to receive it.
It is a new year, with new friends, new allegiances and new activities. The temptation to provide personal information online is dramatically increased as we all start the new school season. Knowing about laws to protect people from identity theft and how to respond can ultimately save people time, money and aggravation.
Despite the constant headlines about identity theft, it continues to be the fastest growing crime in America. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) currently ranks New York State 6th per capita in identity theft complaints, and, though current laws contain many safeguards, further protections for consumers were needed and signed into law by Governor David Paterson in August.
Protections under the Law
Current NYS Law - Existing law prevents organizations and businesses from placing a consumer’s Social Security number on any card or tag required to access products, services or benefits, and from intentionally communicating a person’s Social Security number to the general public, including by printing an individual’s Social Security number on mailings, and more.
New NYS Law - Provisions of the recently passed law, which take effect on a rolling basis beginning January 1, 2009, further restrict the use of Social Security numbers for identification purposes by employers or government, and make it easier to place and lift security freezes.
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) - Web sites collecting information from children under the age of thirteen are required to post privacy policies in compliance with the federal guidelines under COPPA. These sites must seek parental permission before the information can be collected.
Online Protections
The Internet is a great tool, but it comes with dangers of its own. From child predators, identity thieves and “phishing” scams to concerns about privacy, spam, viruses, and cyber bullying, the CPB recommends parents take an interest in what their children are doing online.
Parents and guardians should explain the risks associated with providing personal information to strangers either online or on the telephone.
Children should be encouraged to share their experiences with friends and family to prevent online abuse.
Adults should assure that computers used by children are placed in a common area, so interactions can be easily monitored.
Consumers should maintain up-to-date anti-virus software, anti-spyware and firewalls on computers.
Internet users should consider filtering or blocking e-mail, instant messages and text messages to limit your child’s exposure to things like cyber-bullying and only use encrypted sites or trusted secure sites.
No one should respond to or click on attachments of unknown e-mail transmissions.
More Back-to-School Tips
In addition to protecting personal information, the CPB has created two special tip cards which can be found on the Agency’s homepage (www.nysconsumer.gov).
The CPB is on the “SYDE” of consumers, and has compiled Back-to-School Basics providing Identity Theft and Personal Information Privacy information applying to youngsters right on up to college students, as well as an exclusive “Back-to-School” edition of its Stretch Your Dollars Effort listing methods of saving money on supplies, clothing and school lunches.
Information is Power
Additional consumer guidelines are available on the CPB’s website at www.nysconsumer.gov. Complaints may be lodged online using the form or by calling the Consumer Hotline at 1-800-697-1220.
The NYS CPB, established in 1970 by the New York State Legislature, is the State’s top consumer watchdog and think tank. The CPB’s core mission is to protect New Yorkers by publicizing unscrupulous and questionable business practices and product recalls; conducting investigations and hearings; enforcing the “Do Not Call” law; researching issues; developing legislation; creating consumer education programs and materials; responding to individual marketplace complaints by securing voluntary agreements; and, representing the interests of consumers before the Public Service Commission and other State and federal agencies.
Mindy A. Bockstein is the NYS Consumer Protect Board Chairperson and Executive Director.
